Factory discovery over MCP

https://www.novasupplier.com/mcp

Connect in ChatGPT

1. Open Settings and enable Developer Mode if required.
2. Add a custom MCP connector / app.
3. Paste the server URL above.
4. Set authentication to None.
5. Allow tools: match_factories, search_factories, get_factory.

In chat, a founder only needs a normal sourcing prompt. ChatGPT fills tool arguments. The only hard required field is brief on match_factories.

Connect in Claude

Add a remote MCP / connector pointing at the same URL. Use Streamable HTTP (not stdio, not legacy SSE-only). No OAuth client is required for v1 public tools.

OpenAI Responses API

Pass an MCP tool with server_url and allowed_tools. Keep tool definitions in conversation context so the host does not re-list tools every turn.

{
  "tools": [
    {
      "type": "mcp",
      "server_url": "https://www.novasupplier.com/mcp",
      "allowed_tools": [
        "match_factories",
        "search_factories",
        "get_factory"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Tools

All tools are read-only. Results include schema_version, public profile links with ?ref=mcp, and a CTA back to NovaSupplier. Private emails and phone numbers are never returned.

match_factories

Flagship tool. Send a free-text sourcing brief. The shared brief match engine ranks factories with grounded why_matched copy. Use this when the founder describes a product story (materials, MOQ, certs, markets), not when they already know exact filters.

Example prompts

• Merino baselayers for Denmark, low MOQ, GOTS preferred, flatlock seams
• Padel performance tops with bonded seams, first order under 300 units, selling in Spain
• Budget streetwear hoodies in Portugal, organic cotton preferred

{
  "name": "match_factories",
  "arguments": {
    "brief": "Merino baselayers for Denmark, low MOQ, GOTS preferred, flatlock seams",
    "product_category": "activewear_technical",
    "target_moq": 300,
    "certifications_preferred": ["GOTS"],
    "brand_market": "Europe",
    "budget_sensitivity": "medium",
    "limit": 5
  }
}

Responses may set partial_match: true with a guidance string when MOQ, certifications, or category fit are incomplete. Treat that as honesty, not failure.

search_factories

Directory filter when the user already knows category, certs, or keywords. Categories use MCP ids: knitwear, cut_and_sew_wovens, denim, activewear_technical, swimwear, lingerie, tailoring, outerwear, streetwear_basics.

Example prompts

• Portuguese knitwear with GOTS, MOQ under 300
• Denim factories in Portugal, low MOQ
• Activewear / technical knits, organic fibres

{
  "name": "search_factories",
  "arguments": {
    "category": "knitwear",
    "certifications": ["GOTS"],
    "max_moq": 300,
    "region": "Portugal",
    "keywords": "jersey organic",
    "limit": 8
  }
}

get_factory

Load one public profile by slug (preferred) or name after the user picks a factory from match or search. factory_id equals the public slug.

{
  "name": "get_factory",
  "arguments": {
    "factory_id": "smsenra"
  }
}

What a good result looks like

Match and search return a list of factories. Each item is public discovery data only.

{
  "schema_version": "1",
  "partial_match": true,
  "guidance": "These are partial matches: MOQ, certifications, or category fit may not fully meet the brief.",
  "factories": [
    {
      "factory_id": "jfv-texteis",
      "name": "JFV Texteis",
      "slug": "jfv-texteis",
      "location": "Portugal",
      "categories": ["Cut & sew", "Organic certified fibres (GOTS path)"],
      "certifications": ["GOTS: Global Organic Textile Standard"],
      "moq_range": "Quoted per project",
      "summary": "Circular knit garment manufacturer in Barcelos since 1984.",
      "why_matched": "Fits technical knits; shows GOTS you prefer; MOQ may need negotiation.",
      "match_score": 74,
      "profile_url": "https://www.novasupplier.com/jfv-texteis?ref=mcp",
      "cta": "Open the factory profile on NovaSupplier to start a conversation."
    }
  ],
  "cta": "Start a sourcing project on NovaSupplier or book a concierge call for hands-on matching."
}

Always send the founder to profile_url (or NovaSupplier) to message a factory. MCP cannot send messages or open RFQs.

What this is not

• No messaging, quotes, or purchase orders through MCP
• No payments or Stripe Connect
• No tech-pack upload or file storage
• No authenticated writes or account mutation
• No private contact email or phone in tool payloads (start a project on NovaSupplier for that)

Matching sends brief text to the NovaSupplier API for ranking only. The same brief-match engine powers in-product activation and workspace matching.

Privacy, auth, and limits

• v1 is intentionally unauthenticated for public discovery. OAuth is a later stage.
• Edge rate limits apply per client. Heavy automation may receive soft degradation instead of a full shortlist.
• Origin checks protect the Streamable HTTP endpoint. Server-side hosts such as ChatGPT connectors are supported without a browser Origin header.
• Tool inputs, match process metadata, and outputs may be retained for quality and demand study (retention window, not long-term marketing profiles).
• Full policy: Privacy. Support: .

Schema version

Every tool payload includes schema_version (currently 1). Breaking changes to field names or meaning bump that version and are noted in the changelog.

Changelog

2026-08 (schema 1): Public /mcp with match_factories, search_factories, and get_factory. Streamable HTTP 2026-07-28, ChatGPT connector handshake compat, honest partial_match / guidance, certifications on search cards, English summaries when translations are ready.

Try it as a founder

After the assistant returns factories, open a profile link or start a project on NovaSupplier to message the factory with your brief, MOQ, and tech pack.

• Discover suppliers
• llms.txt for machine-readable pointers
• specification